Vaginal discomfort and dryness affects 1 in 4 women and is a major concern for women’s health.
According to the experts, vaginal rejuvenation is still a taboo subject yet its key to avoiding a catalogue of vaginal issues later in life.
Women’s health experts say the key role of vaginal rejuvenation is not about making the vaginal area look better but making vaginal skin more resilient after damage from pregnancy, sex and hormone depletion and is something all women should pay more attention to so as to avoid vaginal health issues later in life.
What the experts say about vaginal rejuvenation;
Dr Eva Melegh M.D. consultant dermatologist & venereologist says;
‘Unfavourable factors like bacteria, fungus or any changes in vaginal skin tissue due to hormonal alterations or physical trauma from pregnancy or sexual intercourse, mean that vaginal rejuvenation therapy is essential to ensure long-term vaginal health. Disappointingly this area is often overlooked in general anti-ageing and restorative therapies for skin.’
Dr Debjani Mukhopadhyay, consultant NHS gynaecologist says;
‘Vaginal dryness is caused by a drop in oestrogen — this can lead to the acidic pH level of the vagina becoming more alkaline, which is ideal for bad bacteria to flourish and infections to develop. The use of restorative prebiotic compounds in vaginal skincare encourages the growth of good bacteria which studies show can help repair chafed and infected skin in vaginal tissue.’
Dr Elena Arias, director of the Graal Clinic in Puerto Banus, aesthetic doctor and specialist in vaginal rejuvenation says;
“Much of the medical profession mistakenly assume vaginal rejuvenation therapies are only for cosmetic reasons, but the majority of women are seeking them predominantly to improve vaginal comfort. Aside from in-clinic therapies, a regular vaginal anti-ageing regime is also crucial for preserving and rejuvenating vaginal skin.’
Some natural and targeted ingredients can help rejuvenate vaginal skin and include vaginal friendly prebiotics, antioxidants and plant-based protective lubricants.
Rejuvenating
Vaginal skin is affected by age like any other area of skin on the body.
Dr Melegh says;
‘Some natural ingredients that can have a significant rejuvenation effect on vaginal skin. One is Oleuropein, which is a compound found in olive leaf extract which reactivates the proteasome proteins who job it is to keep vaginal skin cells fresh and healthy with a high level of stress-resistance. Proteasome decreases with age or due to vaginal skin damage such as after pregnancy but Oleuropein helps boost its production.
Another is jujube extract, which is an antioxidant that helps block the formation of unwanted oxidized proteins which cause skin to age and weaken. This antioxidant helps strengthen the skin`s repair system to rejuvenate vaginal skin.’
Dr Arias says;
‘Antioxidants are crucial for helping to slow down the ageing process and are as important for vaginal skin as any other area of skin.
Antioxidants help improve elasticity and increase moisture retention in ageing skin and so are highly beneficial to vaginal skin for maintaining structural integrity of this fragile area, which can help improve overall vaginal comfort and health.’
Repairing
Healthy levels of good vaginal bacteria are crucial for maintaining good intimate health. The humid and airless environment of intimate skin combined with sexual activity, makes for an ideal place for the breeding of bad bacteria and fungus.
Vagina-friendly prebiotics help feed good flora in the vagina. The prebiotic Biolin has been studied for heling to increase good bacteria on vaginal skin.
Dr Mukhopadhyay says;
‘’Prebiotic compounds encourage the growth of good bacteria. A 2016 study by the respected Dermoklinika Medical Centre in Poland found that the prebiotic Biolin can help chafed, higher pH and infected skin which is beneficial for vaginal tissue.’
Dr Melegh says;
‘Biolin is a natural prebiotic taken from chicory root. It supports the restoration of the microbiota environment in vaginal skin. It helps good vaginal bacteria to recover and grow faster while repressing the harmful bacteria and is clinically proven to prevent certain skin conditions that lead to vaginal discomfort.’
Lubricating
All skin loses moisture with age, but in particular the thinner vaginal skin begins to lose moisture when female sex hormones begin to deplete in the run up to the menopause.
Levan is a plant fructose that forms a natural film to protect plants against dehydration and is suitable for use on vaginal skin a natural plant-based protective lubricant.
Dr Mukhopadhyay says;
‘Levan contributes to vaginal lubrication and has been shown in plant studies to form a biofilm to protect leaves.’
Dr Melegh says;
‘Levan is a natural plant fructose that helps lock in vaginal moisture via the formation of a natural microfilm over the skin’s surface. This layer helps vaginal skin stay moisturised and lubricated.’
The right pH?
Vaginal ski is at pH of 4.5 or below. Normal skin is not as acidic as the vagina. Any product whether it’s a moisturiser, lubricant or wash will also be in contact with skin near the vagina.
Dr Melegh says;
‘Intimate vaginal products should be set at a moderately acidic 4.5 pH to make them beneficial for vaginal skin but also tolerable for skin surrounding the vaginal region.’
